With recent speculation about a possible Craig Bellamy return to Parkhead, I am writing to find out if you think we should push the boat out to get him back?
I know that it is purely speculation and there is nothing that I am aware of to suggest that there will even be an offer made but since it’s the biggest name we’ve been linked with, I thought it would be an idea to find out what people though.
I already have my opinion on Craig Bellamy and for me, it’s no, we shouldn’t be considering him as a signing target.
For that matter, should we ever re-sign former players?
First with Craig, he signed for us for about four months in 2005 and scored seven SPL goals and two in the Scottish Cup.
He came up in 2005, played some excellent football and I was a big fan. The guy had great pace, could beat players, was powerful, could strike with both feet and could make and score goals.
I think it was clear for most of us, that he was maybe a bit too good for the Scottish league and that he was never going to spend any great length of time up here.
I remember him playing up at Tannadice, when he scored all 3 goals in a 3-2 win, after that game, I thought he was as good as we’d had since Larsson and I’m not sure we’ve had as talented a player since. Maybe I am missing some obvious choices, please correct me if I am.
After us, he went to Blackburn, Liverpool and West Ham then got his big money move to Manchester City.
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The Bellamy that I have described above was the Bellamy of 6 years ago, he was 26 years old in his time at Celtic, he is now 31, he’ll be 32 next week, and more likely to be injured and will not have the same pace that he terrorised the the SPL with.
For me, if the board or Neil Lennon are seriously considering Craig Bellamy as a signing, I’d say thanks but no thanks – when he was 26, yes but not now.
His wage demands would be massive, in comparison to the rest of the squad. Could that lead to a bit of resentment in the squad?
Possibly, especially if he is out for say six weeks with hamstring problems while collecting a large amount more money than what some other players are getting paid.
I would prefer to sign another one or two younger players for the same amount that a package for Craig Bellamy would cost, let’s face it does anyone see Bellamy still being an effective striker up until his mid 30’s? I certainly don’t so at best, we’d maybe get two years out of him.
The question of Bellamy brings me on to my next thought, which I’ve asked at the start of this piece, should we ever resign any former players?
Last season, 2 former and current players had some pretty differing fortunes – Shaun Maloney and Charlie Mulgrew. Big Charlie, at the start of the season, was pounced upon quite quickly for any slight error but over time, he proved that he had developed enough to do a job for us.
I know quite a few fans who thought he wasn’t Celtic class and did not want him there at all last year.
Maloney on the other hand, had a bright enough start to the season, got injured, not to be heard of for most of the season which is a shame because I doubt there would be many who would argue that the guy is not a good player when he’s fit.
The reason I’ve highlighted the two above is because I think it would be silly to suggest that an ex player should never return to the club.
Generally, I am of the thought that if a player leaves the club through their own choice e.g. Maloney, Stan Petrov, they should stay away but obviously there would be some exceptions, if Larsson for example wanted to come back a few years ago, I’m sure he would have been welcomed with open arms.
McGeady is a player who left by choice but a lot would take him back. Artur Boruc is another one who I know some folk would be happy to have back (although others, based on previous comments from my pieces, wouldn’t let him near Parkhead again).
A few years ago when Mowbray had his big clear out, the one that I was disappointed to see leave was Barry Robson as I thought he was ideal to give a bit of grit and fight in the midfield but now Kayal offers that plus a lot more.
Are there any former players, still playing, that you would like to see back at the club? Who are they and why do you want them back.
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I agree we should NOT push the boat out to get him. I’d love to see him back in hoops but not at the high wages being mentioned and with the prospect of him missing a few games through injury.
There was talk of him training with Cardiff during the week and coming up on matchdays that should be a non-starter.
As a MAN CITY fan i am devastated losing BELLAMY, he is worth every penny the man is PURE CLASS.You could not wish for a better player,(PASSION,PACE,POWER & A SUBLIME STRIKER).
When you look at the whole package….wages/ training proposals/ his age/ his injury record recently….it’s a no brainer….
no thanks….
Sorry Mike Bhoyle, I think you have not looked at the whole package at all. Part of the package would be contribution on and off the park, and that would as you put it, be a no-brainer!! Yes! Expensive? Sure. Injury prone? Sure. Age? Not a problem. Training split between us and Cardiff? Not a problem. the guy is a professional and has skills in abundance. If we can get him and he makes the impact he is capable of, the money would come back in the form of the title we were robbed of last year.
TRUST LENNON
I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of signing him…his best days are well behind him now, wages are huge and no value for money. With a decent scouting system, I’m certain we could find other players who would provide a far better return for the money Bellamy would cost.
Rangers snapped up Nikica Jelavic from under our noses, ok at £ 4m but always going to be a success and sure to be sold for more, on much less wages than Bellamy would want. We have to make the best use of our resources and throwing money at Bellamy doesn’t represent good value at any level.
He was quality 6 years ago and I have no doubt he would still be quality in most games if he arrived however I cant see how we can justify paying even half his wages in the current climate. Surely we would be better getting someone on the books permanently for that kind of money, some one who will have some residual value.
When he was here 6 years ago big John scored a barrel load before Xmas, he signed a new Contract and Bellamy came in on loan. I recall BBJ scored about a handful of goals in comparison after Bellamy joined largely because he could not keep up with him. I’m not so sure Bellamy was as much a help as he was a hindrance in chasing the League that year.
Last year we did not have any Diouf type sideshows going on, Bellamy would be our Diouf as far as I’m concerned, someone the media would look to target and sell copies on the back of.
Leave it be Lenny, let someone else take him on. There has to be better options out there.
If PL uses up all that money on one risky gamble then he needs head hunted, we not talking £15-20 k a week wages, we talking £50-70 k a week wages,spend less money on younger players who when their times up there is possible chance of moving them on at a profit or at worse recoup our money back to break even.
Joe Says:
July 5th, 2011 at 3:50 pm ,
Like Robbie Keane coming we thought he’d win us the title also, 6 months of football costing us 65k a week, nigh on £2 million.
Boothroyd scored 20 goals last season,£7k a week wages, Bellamy scored 5 goals, £100k a week, Bellamy hardly kicked a ball for Cardiff.
For the reported £60-70k a week for loan wages for Bellamy that we’d have to pay, we could instead use that money on wages for 3 or 4 other Kayals,Hoopers,Izzy’s or Commons’ (newbies), you would be guaranteed at least one maybe 2 a the minimum would shine unlike the gamble it would be hoping Bellamy stayed fit the whole season with all the wear & tear of the Spl pitches would have on his delicate knees.
Much did we squander on Ljunberg also ?
I’d rather have 3 or 4 decent/average players with potential rather than the coveted marque signing to fill the No7 jersey.
Hail Hail
Best of luck Craig if you are a Celtic fan you could and should have stayed when you were here before so no thanks from me.
bellars would be a fantastic signing-imo he is better than rob keane,time to splash cash on quality-we dont need squad players our squad is massive,so cmon bellars i know you want to come back-make it happen m8